Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team back in action with Al Qassimi, Meeke and Lefebvre

Abu Dhabi, 15th May, 2016 (WAM) – Three months after Rally Sweden, the Abu Dhabi Total WRT returns to action in the World Rally Championship. At Rally de Portugal, Sheikh Khalid bin Faisal Al Qassimi/Chris Patterson, Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle and Stephane Lefebvre/Gabin Moreau will once again enjoy the magnificent gravel stages in the Porto region. Part of the World Rally Championship when it began in 1973, Rally de Portugal quickly established itself as one of the legendary rounds, thanks both to the beauty of its stages and the enthusiasm of the fans. Since the rally returned to the Porto region last year, the Fafe stage has become one of the icons of the WRC. On Sunday morning, thousands of fans are expected to gather near to the famous jump to cheer as every crew comes through. For the Abu Dhabi Total WRT, this rally will be its first gravel round of the season. Up against drivers and teams that have acclimatised to gravel in Mexico and Argentina, the crews will have a tough job on their hands, even though they will enjoy a good starting position for the first two legs. Although he has been away from competitive action, no one could accuse Kris Meeke of not keeping busy. The Citroen Racing driver took part in recce at the overseas rounds but has above all been busy with the start of development work on the World Rally Car he will be driving in 2017. Following seven days of testing in a significantly more powerful and efficient car, Kris will have to start by finding his bearings again. Fourth here in 2015, he will undoubtedly be one of the contenders for a podium spot, as he was in Monte-Carlo and Sweden. Meanwhile, since Rally Sweden, Sheikh Khalid bin Faisal Al Qassimi has finished seventh in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the second round of the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies. After this rewarding experience, Sheikh Khalid will also need to find his bearings again on the fast Portuguese stages. He'll be looking to make full use of his knowledge of the event– at which he appeared last year – to do just that. Sheikh Khalid Al-Qassimi said: "It's good to be back in Portugal and see all these rally-mad fans. I can still remember the huge numbers of people that watched the Fafe stage last year! It was an incredible feeling to drive in this atmosphere. This year, the stages are the same and I hope to enjoy myself. It's nonetheless seven months since I last competed on gravel in the WRC, as my last race was back at Rally de España. I think it'll be difficult but we'll do our very best to find the right feeling. Lastly, I would like to wish Kris and Stephane all the best for this weekend." – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/sports/1395295466820.html